a: "So..Did you pray this week?" b: "Nah.. actually not at all. didn't really had the time for it but I'll try this week. you too?" a: "Okay I'm in.. I'll try tho...." Does this sounds familiar to you? These were actually REAL conversations I had in my youth service. Oh how I'm so ashamed of it now.
These last three months I've had so many teachings about PRAYING and I'm so thankful that God openend my blind eyes. I've always thought that believing in Jesus was enough to actually hold my relationship with Him. And even when I prayed, most of the times it was only with words, not with my heart. Just like a guy talks sweet empty nothings to a girl he'd like to get, that's exactly how I spoke to My God.
I've learned to be REAL with Him. Many times we praise ourselfs in our prayer like for example; "Lord, I've already done this and that for you, now please help me" or "Why aren't you helping me Lord, what should I do for you to help. God doesn't need to be told. You can't order Him to do anything. Also, we pray as if it's a must instead of you, yourself WANTS it. I want to refer back to my last post where I said you should be confident. This also includes for praying. Pray in your identity which is in Christ. Don't pray as a beggar, you need to pray like a child who asks something from his Father. Matthew 7:7-11 - If we ask, seek, and knock, we receive what we requested. God is like an earthly father who gives good gifts to His children who ask.
Praying with a humble and thankful heart. Maybe you don't have much at this moment, but the fact that you're still able to read this post while breathing is already enough to give thanks everyday. Pray with the right motives, if you say "Your will be done" then let it be. Don't be fake in front of God, don't test Him. You say "God if this is not from you please take it away", but the moment He takes it away, you get mad. Why? because you pray in selfishness! You are "saying" Your will be done, but what you're meaning is; I want to satisfy my needs, my flesh. I want blessings from You so that I can have what I want. You may not say it directly, but often we bundle these selfish words in a beautiful wrapped presents so that they become the most beautiful words. But what's the use? He sees your heart anyways. You might as well drop the act and say what you really feel. Even when you're not feeling anything, just say it. Prayer is the most powerful tool we'll ever have. Say something, He listens.
You know I study communication at the moment and the most important thing I've learned is: people can't live without communicating. And without interaction there will be no feedback. If you want God to answer your prayers, start communicate with Him so He can give you that feedback. Don't only pray for one day because you need something at that moment. Communicating with God a lifetime process. I think no one on this earth knows God's heart FULLY, but we can try to. Communicating with God must be the oxygen we need to breathe in and out as representatives of Christ. God wants to give us the greatest things in life but how can He hand it out to you if you don't talk to Him daily? Start praying with a thankful heart. Pray, not because you must but because you're longing to seek His heart every single day! Love, Yin
